Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Bathurst Regional Council team up to host Liberty A-League

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Western Sydney Wanderers
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Western Sydney Wanderers FC has announced a dynamic collaboration with the Bathurst Regional Council that will help grow the Liberty A-League.

The Wanderers FC has long recognised the value of women’s football and is currently implementing strategies to support and elevate the game.

Along with the Red & Black’s Liberty A-League squad that is scheduled to play one match at Carrington Park during the 2023/24 season, the annual Schools Cup tournament headed out to Western New South Wales at the end of June to begin this collaboration.

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson said via press release:

“I would like to thank Bathurst Regional Council for all their support in hosting one of our Liberty A-League matches in the 2023/24 season. In the year of a FIFA Women’s World Cup, it is very important to ensure that Women’s football is given the platform and exposure to continue the momentum off the back of the tournament.

“We hope that this can be the start of a fruitful relationship with Bathurst Regional Council so that we can continue the partnership in years to come.”

The Wanderers’ commitment to grassroots development and nurturing talent from a young age is exemplified by the Annual Schools Cup tournament, which is set to kick-start the Wanderers FC’s relationship with Bathurst Regional Council.

Bathurst Regional Council Mayor Robert Taylor added via press release:

“I’m sure fans from across the region will turn out in force to support the Wanderers in Carrington Park. While the school and community engagement activities will help increase participation levels and bring new supporters to the club.”

Their shared goal of promoting football and fostering community engagement is represented by a number of initiatives and programmes, such as the introduction of exclusive women’s team social channels on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.

Furthermore, the newly launched @wswanderwomen channels will provide fans with behind-the-scenes access and exclusive content covering the Future Wander Women Programme, Liberty A-League Women’s team, community engagement, schools programmes, active mums, and more.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Bathurst Regional Council are starting this new journey together by expanding their reach into rural areas in order to launch an exciting journey of collaboration, empowerment, and expansion of the women’s game.

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Female Referee Mentor Program backed by Football Australia

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Football Australia (FA) launched the program last week, aiming to champion the next generation of female referees through connections with experienced officials.

Investing in the future

Backed with investment from the Australian Government’s ‘Play Our Way’ grant, FA’s Ref Our Game framework will pair future referees with current and former A-League officials.

Through one-on-one mentorship, development opportunities and a network of experienced professionals, aspiring female referees will have unique insights into match officiating.

“Football Australia has always been a leader in inclusion, setting a global standard for female leadership and development,” said Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler, via press release.

“This program reflects a strong commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable officiating pathway and creating a meaningful connections, increasing confidence and ensuring talented female referees feel supported to stay in the game.”

Furthermore, with the launch coinciding with Female Football Week (running from May 8 to May 18), the program represents a wider drive in Australia’s football landscape to become inclusive and supportive.

 

About the program

Focused on future referees within the 18-26 age bracket, the program will give participants a deep understanding of match officiating and equip them with both confidence and expertise.

Each participant will benefit from six mentor sessions, which will include individual feedback, guidance and insights into the life of a referee in elite sport.

Combining leadership, communication and a real sense of belonging, the program promises to nurture new female referees and, as a result, ensure football remains a sport in which men and women can participate side-by-side.

“The Albanese Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program is the most significant commitment ever to women and girls sporting programs and facilities and it’s making a real difference,” explained Minister for Sport, Anika Wells.

“We want to see more girls and women involved in sport at every level and supporting programs like this helps make that happen.”

Indeed, programs of this nature align ambition, professional networks, and a vision for improving the landscape.

This is what the industry needs to ensure long-term inclusivity and cohesion for the next generation.

Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

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